What I Love About the "Three's"

Brandon's been 3 for a few months now so I feel like we've got a good grasp on what this "Terrible T"age has in store for us. When Brandon is feeling good, he is a true joy to have around. He is very curious and inquisitive about most things. He laughs a lot and has a very infectious and sweet belly laugh. He's fairly confident and feels strongly that he knows a lot about certain things. He loves to be out and about and he's very good about listening to Mom and Dad when we're in public places. He loves to run. He loves to help bake. He loves Transformers (especially Bumblebee and Optimus Prime). He loves Finch and he adores his best friend Dakota. Mostly he's just a sweet, thoughtful child who makes me smile every day ("Mommy, did you have fun at work today?")
The same cannot be said when he's feeling lousy. Illness awakens the dragon in him and he can be a real handful. Cranky Brandon, yells, throws things and receives numerous time-outs for such behaviour. Just about every idea Jamie and I have is a bad one and he has very little patience for bad ideas. If he's going to have a meltdown, chances are it's going to be louder, longer and messier (snot and tears) than anything we ever witnessed when he was two.
Lucky for us he's been mostly healthy since about mid January and tons of fun to have around. Here's some my favourite things about Brandon being three:

1. Knows the rules. If Brandon eats a good dinner - and mostly he's a good eater - he gets a little something for dessert. The other night we fed Brandon something he didn't like. He told us "I don't like that Daddy. I'm not going to eat it and I'm not going to get any dessert!"

2. Becoming independent. Brandon can get completely undressed and mostly dressed all by himself.

3. Big dreams. Brandon sees any sport and announces he's going to do it when he gets big. It could be skating, hockey, baseball, rugby . . . you name it. Today he saw a Zambonie for the first time and he decided right then and there that he was going to drive one when he gets bigger.

4. Future plans. Brandon recently informed me that Dakota was going to marry him but he was going to marry some one else.

5. Self confidence. Brandon was climbing high up on his fort. I told him to be careful because I didn't want him to fall and hurt himself. He said "I won't Mommy. I'm like Spiderman"(sometimes he runs fast "like Spiderman" too).

I love this age. I hope he always holds my hand when we go for walks. I hope he always points out every yellow car he sees (because it looks like Bumblebee). I hope he always shows me everything he just drew/colour/painted. I hope he always wants to bake cookies with me. I love this kid!